LGBTQ+ youth say modern politics hurt their well-being 

LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin said politics are negatively impacting their mental health, according to a recent report.

The report this month from The Trevor Project surveyed over 18,000 LGBTQ+ people aged 13 to 24 nationwide. The data was collected from September to December 2023.

In Wisconsin, researchers found 39 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously contemplated suicide in the past year. That number was even higher, 44 percent, for transgender and nonbinary youth. 

In comparison, 13 percent of their heterosexual peers considered suicide in the past year, according to the 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey for high school students. 

LGBTQ+ kids aren’t at a higher risk of suicide because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the report emphasized, but because of how they are treated in society. 

“From anti-LGBTQ+ politics to discrimination, bullying and barriers in mental health,” said Ronita Nath, who serves as the vice president of research at The Trevor Project. “These stressors pile up and take a real toll.”

The report found 53 percent of Wisconsin LGBTQ+ youth said recent politics “negatively impacted their well being a lot,” while another 38 percent said it did “sometimes.” At the time the survey was conducted, Wisconsin was debating bills, books and songs related to trans and LGBTQ+ kids.

Just 10 percent said recent politics “never” impacted their well-being negatively. 

“Our kids are hurting because our kids are listening,” said Abigail Swetz, the executive director of Fair Wisconsin. “It’s really disappointing to see elected leaders attacking such a small and vulnerable youth population.”

Forty percent of youth surveyed said they or their family thought about leaving the state because of politics related to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Meanwhile, 70 percent said the community they live in is accepting of LGBTQ+ people. 

“The best way that an everyday person in Wisconsin can support a trans and nonbinary youth is by being that one supportive adult in the room that they know they can turn to,” Swetz said. 

The mental health toll in Wisconsin

Sixty-three percent of youth surveyed said they had anxiety symptoms, and half reported depression symptoms. Almost half said they wanted mental health support but didn’t get it. 

“I think that really shows us that access to care remains a major barrier,” said Nath, the researcher.

Compared to surveys from previous years, however, the overall numbers are looking better, she added. 

“Fewer LGBTQ+ youth are reporting suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, anxiety and depression compared to when we did this a couple years ago,” Nath said. “Fewer said that they were unable to get the mental health care they needed. So, that’s encouraging.”

Wisconsin stands out in supporting youth at home, she said 

“Forty-seven percent said they had access to an affirming home, which is higher than in many states,” Nath said. 

‘They just want to kick it and survive’

The report found 72 percent of Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ youth feel highly supported by their friends.

Yanté Turner is the youth program director for Wisconsin’s GSAFE, which supports LGBTQ+ students. 

“Teachers are not allowed and can’t protect them in particular ways,” Turner said. “So, young people are going to go towards each other like they always have.”

While their parents talk about how to keep them safe, LGTBQ+ kids sometimes just want to be kids and play with their friends, he added.

“They just want to kick it and survive,” Turner said. “These institutions are attacking theories, not real people.”

He said organizers should let young people help lead the solutions. 

Solutions like affirming spaces and policies that allow LGBTQ+ youth to exist openly, Nath said.

Young people surveyed said a top action Wisconsinites could do to support them was “trusting that I know who I am, ” a statement supported by 87 of those surveyed. 

“You don’t need to be an expert in LGBTQ+ topics or identities to show them you care,” Nath said.